RMN'S Blog

The Hangover Meets Reality

Date:May 30, 2013

The first hit movie, The Hangover, is about four friends, Stu, Alan, Doug and Phil, who lose their friend during a wild bachelor party and have no recollection of what had happened the night before. The movie is full of crazy escapades the men went through that are normally inconceivable to the average person. However, what are the legal repercussions for some of the activities they had partaken in?

The Tiger When the three men awaken the next day, they find themselves in a hotel room at Caesars Palace with a tiger in the bathroom. Unsure of how the tiger is there in the first place, they eventually find the owner of the tiger, Mike Tyson, and realize they had awakened in his hotel suite. What type of animals can you keep at Caesar’s Palace? According to the website, Caesars Palace does have a pet stay program, but it only allows dogs 50 pounds or less to stay within their hotel. Tigers, the largest of the cat species, would not be allowed to stay at the hotel because (1) it would be considered a cat, and (2) tigers can weigh anywhere from 500 to 800 pounds. In addition, all damages acquired to hotel property as a result of the occupant or guests of the occupant will be billed to the occupant. In this case, Mike Tyson would have to find a new hotel (or zoo) that would allow his pet and a large bill for Stu, Phil, Alan and the tiger destroying the hotel suite.

Drugged with Rohypnol During The Hangover, Stu and Phil find out Alan had slipped rohypnol into their drinks. Also known as the “date rape drug” or “roofies”, it is normally used for short-term insomnia treatments or as a presurgical sedative. Rohypnol is illegal to buy and sell in the United States, but is legal in many other countries around the world. This drug causes muscle relaxation, anxiety reduction, sedation, and memory loss. The effect from the drug can be seen within 15 to 20 minutes after taking the drug, and can last from 4 to 6 hours, and sometimes even 12 hours. When mixed with alcohol, the effects are enhanced and the chances of amnesia are stronger. Because rohypnol is illegal in the United States, Alan would have gotten arrested for having them in his possession had he been caught. What would happen if Doug, Stu and Phil wanted to sue Alan for giving them the drugs? In this case, it would be harder to prove they were deliberately drugged by Alan since everyone consumed the rohypnol, and it can be concluded the men all consented to take the party drug.

Public Intoxication Public intoxication is a big issue in Las Vegas due to the large party scene, free alcohol, and many other factors that come into play. In The Hangover, the boys go out for a night of drinking, and from the results of their night, you would expect they would have been publicly intoxicated. Overconsumption of alcohol can lead to someone being arrested for disturbing the peace, trespassing, or drunk driving. Both disturbing the peace and trespassing are misdemeanors that result in fines or 6 months in jail, but drunk driving is a felony in Nevada. Although we are unsure if Stu, Doug, Alan and Phil were drunk driving, we can assume they could have been arrested for disturbing the peace.

These four friends did eventually find each other and made it to the wedding safely, but not without some damage along the way. Even though these men got away without any legal repercussions for their actions, we can assume in everyday life, the average person would not be as lucky.